Originally posted by somonekilwow

cant wait to see this game when aoc gods and war comes out it will be a empty world like when nge cameto swg

This is a rather strange statement to make from someone who plays vanguard (according to your game tracker).

You are level 10, don't expect to much out of gear at this level, especially against a named.  Levels come and go to fast early on to be dependent on gathering gear to make significant increases. 

No offense mate, but there isn't much difference at low levels in all games.  Designers need room to allow characters to improve ALL the way through the game.  It comes a little at a time.  Really, a mage can tank in almost any game up into the teens just as well as a warrior.  It takes time for classes to flesh out.

The low levels are just about getting a feel for the game and tasting enough to set the hook. 

If this game launches and the biggest problem is they need to rework mitigation I will be overjoyed.  No game is beyond need of balancing just after launch, but LOTRO looks mighty polished so far.  Especially compared to several other games at launch.



 

Originally posted by boognish75

 Welcome to the ME..I want it now generation. 

Consumers or Sony Online... Your statement applies so well to both. 

EQ2 has always lacked vision and direction that is why it isn't a very strong game.  The corporate heads run the show instead of people willing to make games.  EQ2 went through so many core concept changes it was a nightmare.  Maybe it is a better game now, but that is only because it got rid of most of the concepts it launched with and just cloned most of what WoW was already doing.  I played on the test server with the developers and saw first hand how much the Sony folk favor a fast buck over a quality product. 

WoW did not revolutionize much in the MMO scene, except to put out a polished game that had good mechanics and is fun.  It isn't old school hardcore or anything and might not suit everyones taste, but it does just what it set out to do which is why people play it.  EQ2 bit the big bone and that is why it suffer subscription wise to the point of already having to merge servers. 

Normally subscription numbers aren't the be all end all of comparisons, but in this case between these two games that shared so much I have to say it does spell out the truth.

To many people confuse hardcore with tedious. 

Every Sony game to date has had that rushed feel to it, with perhaps the exception of EQ when brad and company were in control (really there was no way to know what MMOs should be like back then).   Everything Sony has touched is put to their formula time table of how games should be sold, not how games should be created.  Their products are generally unfinished in several aspects from mechanics to overall design to base concepts of what the game should deliver.  It all leads to the "catch up" retrofitting of their products to pander to the potential customers they think should be playing their game.   Yes, they are always designing for POTENTIAL customers over the current base, because they still think they are some sort of cavalier game maker breaking new ground in the MMO industry.

The base problem is that their online division is controlled by number crunchers instead of people passionate about making games.  If there was a choice to release an expansion with half the content functional to make an extra 5% vs. waiting a month to release a fully operation product, which do you think they will choose?  Based on their past choices with their titles I cannot understand why anyone would think Vanguard will be managed any differently.

Yes Sigil is "in charge", but Sony is involved no matter what anyone says they have some order of control and will not stop until they have full control.  Brad sold Verrant to Sony and there is nothing to stop him from doing again.   In fact it isn't a very bad business plan on his end.  Build up and sell.

Typical SOE fomula launch if you ask me.

Early release
Game breaking bugs
Lackluster game world
Uninspiring game play
Confusion over core mechanics (casual/hard core)
Changes in design philosphy
Tales of what COULD be possible to keep people interested.

This game will end up being yet another at best medicore title that should have been great, all because it must obey the Sony timetable.  History is on the side of the naysayers.  The burden of proof really needs to be shouldered by the appologists/fans of vangaurd.   Why should anyone believe in this game outside of ignoring past actions and just trusting in with blind faith?